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with cold and cautious scientific brains； endowed； in many cases； with the
strongest prejudices against dogmatic creeds and with very natural fears
about the possible re…growth of theological quarrels； have in most cases
stopped short of a complete acceptance； declaring that there can be no
positive proof upon such matters； and that we may deceive ourselves
either by a reflection of our own thoughts or by receiving the impressions
of the medium。 Professor Zollner； for example； says：
〃Science can make no use of the substance of intellectual revelations；
but must be guided by observed facts and by the conclusions logically and
mathematically uniting them〃a passage which is quoted with approval by
Professor Reichel； and would seem to be endorsed by the silence
concerning the religious side of the question which is observed by most of
our great scientific supporters。 It is a point of view which can well be
understood； and yet； closely examined； it would appear to be a species of
enlarged materialism。 To admit； as these observers do； that spirits do
return； that they give every proof of being the actual friends whom we
have lost； and yet to turn a deaf ear to the messages which they send
would seem to be pushing caution to the verge of unreason。 To get so far；
and yet not to go further； is impossible as a permanent position。 If； for
example； in Raymond's case we find so many allusions to the small details
of his home upon earth； which prove to be surprisingly correct； is it
reasonable to put a blue pencil through all he says of the home which he
actually inhabits？ Long before I had convinced my mind of the truth of
things which appeared so grotesque and incredible； I had a long account
sent by table tilting about the conditions of life beyond。 The details
seemed to me impossible and I set them aside； and yet they harmonise； as I
now discover； with other revelations。 So； too； with the automatic script of
Mr。 Hubert Wales； which has been described in my previous book。 He had
tossed it aside into a drawer as being unworthy of serious consideration；
and yet it also proved to be in harmony。 In neither of these cases was
telepathy or the prepossession of the medium a possible explanation。 On
the whole； I am inclined to think that these doubtful or dissentient
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THE VITAL MESSAGE
scientific men； having their own weighty studies to attend to； have
confined their reading and thought to the more objective side of the
question； and are not aware of the vast amount of concurrent evidence
which appears to give us an exact picture of the life beyond。 They despise
documents which cannot be proved； and they do not； in my opinion；
sufficiently realise that a general agreement of testimony； and the already
established character of a witness； are themselves arguments for truth。
Some complicate the question by predicating the existence of a fourth
dimension in that world； but the term is an absurdity； as are all terms
which find no corresponding impression in the human brain。 We have
mysteries enough to solve without gratuitously introducing fresh ones。
When solid passes through solid； it is； surely； simpler to assume that it is
done by a dematerialisation； and subsequent reassemblya process which
can； at least； be imagined by the human mindthan to invoke an
explanation which itself needs to be explained。 In the next and final
chapter I will ask the reader to accompany me in an examination of the
New Testament by the light of this psychic knowledge； and to judge how
far it makes clear and reasonable much which was obscure and confused。
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THE VITAL MESSAGE
CHAPTER V
IS IT THE SECOND DAWN？IS IT THE SECOND DAWN？
IS IT THE SECOND DAWN？IS IT THE SECOND DAWN？
There are many incidents in the New Testament which might be taken
as starting points in tracing a close analogy between the phenomenal
events which are associated with the early days of Christianity； and those
which have perplexed the world in connection with modern Spiritualism。
Most of us are prepared to admit that the lasting claims of Christianity
upon the human race are due to its own intrinsic teachings； which are quite
independent of those wonders which can only have had a use in startling
the solid complacence of an unspiritual race； and so directing their
attention violently to this new system of thought。 Exactly the same may be
said of the new revelation。 The exhibitions of a force which is beyond
human experience and human guidance is but a method of calling
attention。 To repeat a simile which has been used elsewhere； it is the
humble telephone bell which heralds the all…important message。 In the
case of Christ； the Sermon on the Mount was more than many miracles。 In
the case of this new development； the messages from beyond are more
than any phenomena。 A vulgar mind might make Christ's story seem
vulgar； if it insisted upon loaves of bread and the bodies of fish。 So； also； a
vulgar mind may make psychic religion vulgar by insisting upon moving
furniture or tambourines in the air。 In each case they are crude signs of
power； and the essence of the matter lies upon higher planes。 It is stated in
the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles； that they； the Christian
leaders； were all 〃with one accord〃 in one place。 〃With one accord〃
expresses admirably those sympathetic conditions which have always been
found； in psychic circles； to be conducive of the best results； and which are
so persistently ignored by a certain class of investigators。 Then there came
〃a mighty rushing wind；〃 and afterwards 〃there appeared cloven tongues
like unto fire and it sat upon each of them。〃 Here is a very definite and